Robert Bailey, Freelance Writer

Jamaica Netball Asssociation president Marva Bernard (left) greets Simone Forbes at the Norman Manley International Airport yesterday after the team returned from its tour of Australia and New Zealand. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

AFTER BEING battered and bruised by Australia and New Zealand, Jamaica's Sunshine Girlz returned home yesterday from their two-week tour Down Under. The Jamaicans who are ranked number three in the world lost both series by 2-0 margins.

They also suffered one of their worst defeats in a decade when they were thrashed 80-36 by world champions New Zealand. Connie Francis, coach of the Sunshine Girlz, did not wish to speak to the media at Norman Manley International Airport yesterday after hearing about the deaths of two of her coworkers at Caribbean Products, and directed all questions to her assistant Annett Daley.

Daley said the team had achieved some of its objectives.

"I think that satisfaction comes in different aspects because there were certain objectives that we set out to achieve and some of those objectives we did achieve and others we didn't," said Daley, who is also the coach of Denbigh High. "In that respect we can say we were satisfied in some areas but not in others," she said.

"Fitness is one ... and experience, because some of the younger players have been exposed to playing with New Zealand and Australia. Now they are familiar with the different styles, so it is now up to us how we approach teams with different styles," she said.

Improved fitness

She also said the players had improved their fitness but still needed to improve on their discipline to make sure that they executed what they trained for.

When asked about how the defeats had impacted on the team, Daley said: "I think that they were a motivating factor in the sense that persons have now identified some of their weaknesses and have now committed to improve in those areas.

"I am also satisfied with the younger players - Romelda (Aiken) did a excellent job. She kept her scoring average up and that's good because it is showing us that for the future we do have some girls who will be there."

The Jamaicans will now turn their attention to a three-Test home series against England in September which is their last series before the start of the World Championships in New Zealand in November.